​SINGAPORE: Airbus sees other A380 customers taking Emirates' cue

Airbus is upbeat on the prospect of more A380 orders from existing customers in the wake of the recent follow-on deal from Emirates for 36 more aircraft.

The Emirates deal, which is yet to be finalised, was announced in January after Airbus was unable to agree terms in time for the planned announcement at November's Dubai air show. When confirmed, it will be the first new order for the A380 since an Emirates contract for two aircraft in March 2016.

Now that another Emirates follow-on deal is secured, Eric Schulz – head of sales, marketing and contracts at Airbus's commercial aircraft division – expects that further orders will come from the customer base.

"I was talking to a couple of customers who are still interested about the A380 and I believe that the door will continue to be open on some specific markets where growth is a big issue with restricted airspace, restricted airports," he says. "I think we continue to have some opportunities."

While he plays down the prospect of any large orders, he says the volume "will be probably sustainable and help us to continue the programme".

Speaking at the Singapore air show, Schulz was reluctant to explain exactly how Airbus managed to finally conclude the latest Emirates A380 deal.

"Sometimes you need a little bit more time to get the right understanding and make absolutely certain that we are all aligned," he says.

"At the end of the day what matters is the result, and what matters is that Emirates continues to have confidence and trust in the programme."